Concrete pump



May 23, 1967 M. P. KOY

CONCRET PUMP Filed Sept. 15, 1965 mw x Q M//fan R Kay INVINTOR.

United States Patent O 3,320,961 CUNQRE'IE PUMP Milton l. Koy, Houston, Terr.7 assigner of seventy-tive percent to F. W. Gartner Company, a corporation of Terras Filed Sept. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 487,37@ 6 Claims. (Cl. 103-152) The present invention generally relates to a pump construction especially adapted for use in pumping concrete or similar materials that contain a substantial percentage of solid materials that cannot be pumped by conventional pump mechanisms.

Basically the present invention employs a pumping element which may be employed as a single or double -unit for pumping concrete and has for one of its objects the provision of a hydraulically operating everting diaphragm generally cylindrical in construction in which the closed end of the everting diaphragm is reciprocated longitudinally of the length of the everting cylindrical element for alternately expanding and contracting a work chamber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a concrete pump in accordance with the preceding object including novel collapsing valves on the inlet and outlet of the working chamber of the pump for selective opening and closing for controlling inlet and outlet of the concrete or other material being pumped.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a concrete pump in accordance with the preceding objects in which the power for operating the everting cylinder or diaphragm is provided by hydraulic material such as water or the like with the material for motivating the pumping element being isolated from the material being pumped thereby preventing contamination thereof.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a concrete pump which is relatively simple in construction, being capable of control `by various manners and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to the like parts throughoutJ and in which:

FIGURE l is a sectional view somewhat schematic in nature and illustrating the everting diaphragm or cylindrical member on the intake stroke with the outlet valve closed and the inlet valve open; and

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 1 but with the pumping element on the working stroke or discharge stroke with the intake valve closed and the outlet valve open.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the concrete pump of the present invention with the drawings illustrating the pump in two of its positions. The pump 10 includes an elongated cylindrical body or casing 12 that may preferably but not necessarily have a domed end 14. The end of the body 12 opposite from the end 14 is provided with a flange 16 for connection with an adapter casing 18 having a flange 20 associated with and connected to the ilange 16 by suitable fasteners such as bolts or the like, the details of which are not shown.

Mounted in the cylindrical body or casing 12 is a llexible resilient generally cylindrical diaphragm or cylindrical element 22 in the form of a peel tape diaphragm or everting diaphragm that has one end thereof provided with a llange 24 secured between the ilanges 16 and 20.

The other end of the cylindrical everting diaphragm 22 is provided with a flange 26 received between the head 23 of a piston member 30 and a clamping plate 32 ailxed thereto in any suitable manner such as suitable fasteners or the like. The piston 30 is free to move longitudinally in the cylindrical casing or body 12 and has an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the everted diaphragm 22 which, of course, has a folded end portion 34 where it reverses itself and due to its association with the interior of the casing 12, the piston 3i) will actually force the diaphragm 22 in tight sealing engagement with the interior surface of the cylindrical body 12 thus preventing entry of material between the cylindrical body 12 and the diaphragm 22.

The cylindrical body 12 is provided with a tting or adapter 36 adjacent the end 14 thereof for ingress and egress of hydraulic operating fluid such :as water 38 or the like which will engage the piston 30 and the piston head 2S to cause the same to move longitudinally towards the flange 24 as illustrated in FIGURE 2 which illustrates the piston 30 at the end of its working stroke.

The adapter 18 has a cylindrical portion l0 matching the cylindrical casing 12 and projecting upwardly therefrom is a cylindrical inlet i2 and projecting axially from the bottom thereof is a cylindrical outlet 4d. The inlet 42 is defined by a flanfe 46 having mounted thereon a cylindrical valve casing i8 by fastener bolts Sil. The upper end of the valve casing 48 receives a flange 52 on a hopper or other source 54 for the concrete 56 to be pumped. Fastening bolts 58 secure the flange 52 to the valve body 48.

Disposed Within the valve body or casing 48 is a generally cylindrical and flexible or elastic bellows type valve member 60 having an outwardly projecting flange 62 at the lower end thereof received between and secured between the flange 46 and the valve casing 48. The valve member 6i) also includes an upper flange 64 secured between and sealed between the ilange S2 and the valve body 48. Centrally of the valve body or casing 43, there is provided an inlet nipple 66 receiving a conduit, pipe or hose 68 selectively connected to a source of air pressure so that the cylindrical annular space '70 between the valve member 6i) and the valve casing 48 may be vented to the atmosphere in which event the interior diameter of the valve member 6? will be substantially the same as the inlet from the hopper 54 as illustrated in FIGURE l or communicated with a source of air pressure for collapsing the valve member 60 into the position illustrated in FIGURE 2 thus closing the passage leading from the hopper 54 into the inlet 42. The valve member 6i) is provided with longitudinal folds thus forming a longitudinal bellows type structure which will contract radially inwardly when air pressure is exerted on the exterior thereof but which will assume a normal generally cylindrical internal coniiguration when vented to the atmosphere to permit inflow of the Concrete S6.

The discharge or outlet i4 also terminates in a flange 72 which has an inclined outer surface 74 engaged by an outwardly flared end 76 of a flexible elastic bellows type valve 7S similar to the valve 60. A valve casing or body 80 of generally cylindrical configuration encircles the valve '7S and generally forms an annular cylindrical chamber 82 therebetween. The valve casing 80 is provided with an inwardly projecting ilange 84 having an inclined surface engaging the flange 76 in opposition to the ilange '74 thus securely clamping and retaining the end of the valve member 78. An externally threaded retaining nut 86 is screw threaded into the end of the valve casing 80 and has an inner abutment edge abutting the flange 72 thus retaining the flange 72, flange '76 and flange 84 securely and tightly clamped together. The

3 interior periphery of the retainingnut 96 may be provided withv a suitable G-ring seal or the like", n

The exterior end of the valve 7 8 is secured to the valve casing 80 in the sanie manner and a discharge manifold or pipe 88 is secured to the valve body, the retaining nut 90 and the outer end ilangeon the valve 78 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. Thus, the discharge manifold 83 is communicated with the discharge opening 44. A nipple 92 is provided in the valve casing 80 and a conduit, pipe or hose 94 is -communicated therewith for communicating with a source of air pressure whereby the valve member 78 may be collapsed into the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to close the discharge opening or vent it to the atmosphere to enable the valve member 78 to assume a normal generally cylindrical configuration.

The diaphragm 22 isolates both sides of the piston 30 and yet it leaves the piston free to move down the length of the tube with virtually no restriction of motion. The inlet valve assembly and the outlet valve assembly are generally of the same construction insofar as operating principle is concerned and each includes a cylindrical casing or barrel in which the elastic sleeve or valve member is fitted by flange arrangements in the case of the inlet valve and by screw threaded inclined or conical surfaces clamping the ends of the sleeve in the case of the outlet valve. Both of the valves operate in the same manner and either securing or fastening arrangement can be used in either of the valves. The inlet valve assembly is connected to the receiving hopper which represents the supply of the material to be pumped. The outlet valve is Connected to the header or manifold which represents the discharge pipe for delivering the material pumped to pipes or hoses which transport it to a desired location.

With the outlet valve closed as illustrated in FIGURE 1, the piston 30 is moved to the right by pumping the hydraulic liquid or water out of the cylindrical body. With the inlet valve open, concrete 56 will fill the area of the cylinder to the left of the piston until the piston reaches the end of its stroke towards the right hand end of the cylinder. The right hand section of the cylinder is connected to water under a vacuum which tends to drain the right hand side of water and allows atmospheric pressure to force the concrete down through the inlet valve into the working chamber formed by the diaphragm and the adapter 18. The working chamber increases in volume as the piston 3) moves to the right and this action continues until the piston completes its stroke. At this time the working chamber is full of concrete and air pressure in the valves is reversed thus collapsing the inlet valve and closing it off as illustrated in FIGURE 2 and venting the outlet valve to the atmosphere to enable it to assume a normal cylindrical condition as illustrated in FIGURE 2. The right hand section of the cylinder 29 is then connected to a source of water under pressure which is sufficient to force the concrete material in the working chamber out through the outlet valve and into the header or manifold and onto the desired location. When the piston reaches its full stroke towards the left as illustrated in FIGURE 2, the pumping stroke has been completed and the air pressure in the valves is then reversed thus closing off the outlet valve and opening the inlet valve and then communicating the water with a source of vacuum to evacuate the cylinder behind the piston 30 thus admitting more concrete into the working chamber thus completing the cycle which can be repeated indefinitely.

In practical operation, two pumping elements may be interconnected hydraulically and pneumatically for alternate operation which will supply a steady flow of concrete or other material being pumped. The pumping elements may be connected through suitable solenoid valves, surge tanks, Vacuum chambers, pressure chambers, pumps, and compressors fitted with a pressure bypass valve which insures that water pressure will be maintained at all times, a vacuum release by-pass to the surge CFL tank which holds the vacuum at the ultimum level and an air pressure spill valve which will hold the air pressure tank at the correct pressure. All of these arrangements are conventional in construction for maintaining the source of water pressure, air pressure and vacuum at the desired predetermined levels. Inasmuch as the particular' controls may vary, no particular disclosure thereof is made. Where two pump units are used together alternatelyl as one cylinder reaches the end ofits intake stroke and the other cylinder reaches the end of its Working stoke, a stepping switch or equivalent structure may be operated which reverses the valve connections. The end of the diaphragm or the clamping plate 32 may lhave a wiping ring engagin-g the interior surface of the diaphragm to keep coarse aggregate from entering into the folds or? bends of the diaphragm and inasmuch as the fiexible elastic diaphragm has equal pressure on both sides, very little rupturing forces are encountered thus enabling the diaphragm to have a relatively long life and the material from which the diaphragm is made such as polyurethane, will provide resistance to wear due to contact with aggregates, sand, concrete and the like.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the eXact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may -be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l, A pump for concrete or similar materials comprising' an elongated generally cylindrical casing having an inlet valve and Ian outlet valve adjacent one end of the casing', the other end of said casing being closed and having a fitting for connection with a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and vacuum selectively, a piston freely movable in said cylindrical casing, and an everting iiexible diaphragm of cylindrical construction having one end sealed to the casing remote from the closed end thereof and the other end sealed to the piston, said piston forcing the diaphragm into tight sealing engagement with the interior of the casing, said diaphragm having an intermediate portion being folded so that selective opening of the inlet, closing of the outlet and evacuating the hydraulic fiuid under pressure will cause the piston to move in an intake stroke and closing of the intake, opening of the exhaust and admitting hydraulic fluid under pressure Will cause the piston to move towards the end of the cylinder having the inlets and outlets therein for forming a working stroke for the pump.

2. A concrete pump comprising an elongated generally cylindrical casing having an inlet means and an outlet means adjacent one end thereof and the other end being closed, inlet valve means on the inlet means, exhaust valve means on the exhaust means for selectively opening -and closing thereof, means adjacent the closed end of the casing for selective communication with a source of fluid pressure and vacuum for selectively pressurizing the casing or evacuating the same, an everting generally cylindrical diaphragm having one end thereof connected to the periphery of the casing adjacent the inlet means and outlet means, the other end of said diaphragm having a piston connected therewith with the intermediate portion of the diaphragm being folded upon itself for eversion, said piston forcing the diaphragm into tight sealing engagement with the interior of the casing and being moved towards the end of the casing having the inlet means and outlet means therein when iiuid pressure is admitted into the closed end of the casing and being moved back towards the closed end of the casing when the fluid pressure is evacuated therefrom thus producing working strokes for pumping concrete or the like.

3. The pump as defined in claim 1 wherein said inlet valve means includes a generally cylindrical flexible valve member, a generally cylindrical casing encircling the valve member in spaced relation thereto thus forming an annular chamber therebetween, said annular chamber' being communicated with a source of fluid pressure for selective collapsing of the valve member to close the ow passage therethrough.

4. The pump as defined in claim 3 wherein said valve member includes longitudinal flutes forming a longitudinal bellows for enabling contraction thereof.

5. The pump as defined in claim 4 wherein said outlet v-alve means is identical to the inlet valve means.

6. A pump for pumpable substances comprising an elongated casing having opposing ends, an inlet valve and an outlet valve adjacent one end of the casing, the other end of the casing being closed and having a tting for connection with .a `source of uid under pressure and vacuum selectively, a piston freely movable within said casing, and an everting flexible diaphragm of the same cross-sectional configuration as the casing and having one end `sealed to the casing remote from the closed end thereof and the other end sealed to the piston, said piston forcing the diaphragm into tight sealing engagement with the interior of the casing, said diaphragm having an intermediate portion being folded so that selective opening of the inlet, closing of the outlet and evacuating the uid under pressure will cause the `piston to move in an intake stroke and closing of the intake, opening of the exhaust and admitting -uid -under pressure will cause the piston to move towards the end of the cylinder having the inlets and outlets therein for forming a Working stroke for the pump.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT M. WALKER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PUMP FOR CONCRETE OR SIMILAR MATERIALS COMPRISING AN ELONGATED GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL CASING HAVING AN INLET VALVE AND AN OUTLET VALVE ADJACENT ONE END OF THE CASING, THE OTHER END OF SAID CASING BEING CLOSED AND HAVING A FITTING FOR CONNECTION WITH A SOURCE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID UNDER PRESSURE AND VACUUM SELECTIVELY, A PISTON FREELY MOVABLE IN SAID CYLINDRICAL CASING, AND AN EVERTING FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM OF CYLINDRICAL CONSTRUCTION HAVING ONE END SEALED TO THE CASING REMOTE FROM THE CLOSED END THEREOF AND THE OTHER END SEALED TO THE PISTON, SAID PISTON FORCING THE DIAPHRAGM INTO TIGHT SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE CASING, SAID DIAPHRAGM HAVING AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION BEING FOLDED SO THAT SELECTIVE OPENING OF THE INLET, CLOSING OF THE OUTLET AND EVACUATING THE HYDRAULIC FLUID UNDER PRESSURE WILL CAUSE THE PISTON TO MOVE IN AN INTAKE STROKE AND CLOSING OF THE INTAKE, OPENING OF THE EXHAUST AND ADMITTING HYDRAULIC FLUID UNDER PRESSURE WILL CAUSE THE PISTON TO MOVE TOWARDS THE END OF THE CYLINDER HAVING THE INLETS AND OUTLETS THEREIN FOR FORMING A WORKING STROKE FOR THE PUMP. 